2-Day Semi-Guided Tour of Yosemite National Park from San Francisco

2-Day Semi-Guided Tour of Yosemite National Park from San Francisco

Maximize your experience to the wild, natural beauty of Yosemite National Park with an overnight stay in the park. This is the only Yosemite Valley tour from San Francisco where you will experience the solitude of the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the largest living things on the Earth. After getting your bearings on a guided tour to Yosemite, you’ll enjoy plenty of free time during your two days and a night to hike, bike and explore at your own pace. Capture incredible photos of Yosemite, Nevada and Bridalveil falls, then move on to the granite monuments of El Capitan, Half Dome and more. Choice of accommodations available. Guaranteed departures 365 days a year.

Itinerary

Day 1: San Francisco to Yosemite

Pass By: Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA
Bridalveil Fall is one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley in California, Yosemite National Park.

Pass By: El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, CA
El Capitan, also known as El Cap, is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, located on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The granite monolith is about 3,000 feet from base to summit along its tallest face, and is a popular objective for rock climbers.

Pass By: Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, CA
Half Dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. It is a well-known rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape.

Stop At: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA
Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in Yosemite National Park, dropping a total of 2,425 feet from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Yosemite Valley, 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389-9912
Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California. The valley is about 7.5 miles long and approximately 3000–3500 feet deep, surrounded by high granite summits such as Half Dome and El Capitan, and densely forested with pines.
Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Tunnel View, Wawona Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Tunnel View is a scenic viewpoint on State Route 41 in Yosemite National Park. Visitors have seen and documented the iconic and expansive views of Yosemite Valley from the overlook since its opening in 1933.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park, CA
Tuolumne Grove is a sequoia grove located near Crane Flat in Yosemite National Park. It is about 16 miles west of Yosemite Village on Tioga Pass Road. The grove contains many conifers, including a few Sequoiadendron giganteum as well as Abies concolor and Pinus lambertiana.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Ansel Adams Gallery, Village Mall, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Gallery showcasing & selling photography by celebrated landscape artist Ansel Adams, among others.

Pass By: Yosemite National Park Big Oak Flat Entrance, 6107 Big Oak Flat Rd, Groveland, CA 95321, USA
The Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park is located on CA Highway 120 roughly 24 miles (39 km) east of Groveland, CA. CA Highway 120 is the most direct route into Yosemite National Park from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Northern California locations.

Pass By: Big Oak Flat Road, Groveland, CA
Traveling the historic Big Oak Flat Road from the western entrance of Yosemite National Park across to the Tioga Pass entrance on the east, provides drivers easy access to the stunning beauty of Yosemite’s high country landscapes.

Pass By: Four Mile Trail, Yosemite National Park, CA
Four Mile Trail is a moderate to strenuous trail leading from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point.

Pass By: Glacier Point, Yosemite Lodge Resort origin, Yosemite National Park, CA
Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra is located 30 miles (one hour) from Yosemite Valley.

Pass By: Horsetail Fire Fall, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Horsetail Fall, located in Yosemite National Park in California, is a seasonal waterfall that flows in the winter and early spring. The fall occurs on the east side of El Capitan. Around the second week of February, the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall at just the right angle to illuminate the upper reaches of the waterfall.

Pass By: Illilouette Fall, Illilouette creek, Yosemite National Park, CA
llilouette Falls is a 370-foot waterfall in Yosemite National Park. It is located on the Illilouette Creek, a left tributary of the Merced River, in a small side canyon directly across from Vernal Falls, and is visible from the trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Stop At: Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Yosemite National Park, CA
A quarter-mile (one way) hike to a spectacular mist-blown view from the base of 320-foot Lower Yosemite Falls. Lower Yosemite Falls Hike is a must visit for its accessibility and proximity to this massive waterfall and has spectacular views of both falls.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Merced River, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
The Merced River in the central part of the U.S. state of California, is 145 miles (233 km) long. Tenaya, Yosemite, Bridalveil and Pigeon Creeks join the Merced River in Yosemite Valley.
Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Mist Trail, Happy Isles, Yosemite National Park, CA
The Mist Trail is one of the most popular short hikes in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. The steep hike follows the Merced River, starting at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley, past Vernal Fall and Emerald Pool, to Nevada Fall.

Pass By: Nevada Fall, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA
Nevada Fall is a 594-foot high waterfall on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park, California. It is located below the granite dome, Liberty Cap, at the west end of Little Yosemite Valley.

Stop At: Olmsted Point, Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Olmsted Point, located in Yosemite National Park, is a viewing area off of the Tioga Road which offers a view into Tenaya Canyon. This view looks southwest into the valley, giving, in particular, a view of the northern side of Half Dome and a view of Tenaya Lake to the east.
Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: San Francisco Bay Bridge, Highway 80 West, San Francisco, CA 94105
The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, known locally as the Bay Bridge, is a complex of bridges spanning San Francisco Bay in California. As part of Interstate 80 and the direct road between San Francisco and Oakland, it carries about 260,000 vehicles a day on its two decks.

Pass By: Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park, CA
Sentinel Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, United States. It lies on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, 0.8 miles southwest of Glacier Point and 1.4 miles northeast of Profile Cliff. Sentinel Dome is known for a Jeffrey Pine that grew from its peak.

Pass By: Sierra Nevada, CA
The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin.

Pass By: Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park, CA
Tenaya Lake is an alpine lake in Yosemite National Park, located between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. The surface of Tenaya Lake has an elevation of 8,150 feet. The lake basin was formed by glacial action.

Pass By: Vernal Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park, CA
Vernal Fall is a 317-foot waterfall on the Merced River just downstream of Nevada Fall in Yosemite National Park, California. Like its upstream neighbor, Vernal Fall is clearly visible at a distance, from Glacier Point, as well as close up, along the Mist Trail.

Pass By: 9010 Curry Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA
Beneath the grandeur of Glacier Point, Half Dome Village is known for the same warm, hospitable feeling that was instilled by its founders, David and Jennie Curry in 1899.

Pass By: Yosemite Valley Lodge, 9006 Yosemite Lodge Dr, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA 95389, USA
Yosemite Valley Lodge is a favorite choice for families and large groups. Its close proximity to Yosemite Falls makes it the perfect base camp for exploring Yosemite National Park.

Pass By: Valley Visitor Center, 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389-9912
The Valley Visitor Center is located in Yosemite Valley and is the largest and most comprehensive in terms of displays, books, postcards and maps. The Valley Visitor Center is open year round and offers natural history displays, audiovisual programs and is staffed with individuals who are happy to answer all your questions.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Yosemite to San Francisco

Stop At: Yosemite Valley, 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389-9912
Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California. The valley is about 7.5 miles long and approximately 3000–3500 feet deep, surrounded by high granite summits such as Half Dome and El Capitan, and densely forested with pines.
Duration: 15 hours

Pass By: 9010 Curry Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA
Beneath the grandeur of Glacier Point, Half Dome Village is known for the same warm, hospitable feeling that was instilled by its founders, David and Jennie Curry in 1899.

Pass By: Yosemite Valley Lodge, 9006 Yosemite Lodge Dr, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA 95389, USA
Yosemite Valley Lodge is a favorite choice for families and large groups. Its close proximity to Yosemite Falls makes it the perfect base camp for exploring Yosemite National Park.

Pass By: Valley Visitor Center, 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389-9912
The Valley Visitor Center is located in Yosemite Valley and is the largest and most comprehensive in terms of displays, books, postcards and maps. The Valley Visitor Center is open year round and offers natural history displays, audiovisual programs and is staffed with individuals who are happy to answer all your questions.

Pass By: Ansel Adams Gallery, Village Mall, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Gallery showcasing & selling photography by celebrated landscape artist Ansel Adams, among others.

Pass By: Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA
Bridalveil Fall is one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley in California, Yosemite National Park.

Pass By: El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, CA
El Capitan, also known as El Cap, is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, located on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The granite monolith is about 3,000 feet from base to summit along its tallest face, and is a popular objective for rock climbers.

Pass By: Four Mile Trail, Yosemite National Park, CA
Four Mile Trail is a moderate to strenuous trail leading from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point.

Pass By: Glacier Point, Yosemite Lodge Resort origin, Yosemite National Park, CA
Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra is located 30 miles (one hour) from Yosemite Valley.

Pass By: Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, CA
Half Dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. It is a well-known rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape.

Pass By: Illilouette Fall, Illilouette creek, Yosemite National Park, CA
llilouette Falls is a 370-foot waterfall in Yosemite National Park. It is located on the Illilouette Creek, a left tributary of the Merced River, in a small side canyon directly across from Vernal Falls, and is visible from the trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Pass By: Horsetail Fire Fall, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Horsetail Fall, located in Yosemite National Park in California, is a seasonal waterfall that flows in the winter and early spring. The fall occurs on the east side of El Capitan. Around the second week of February, the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall at just the right angle to illuminate the upper reaches of the waterfall.

Stop At: Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Yosemite National Park, CA
A quarter-mile (one way) hike to a spectacular mist-blown view from the base of 320-foot Lower Yosemite Falls. Lower Yosemite Falls Hike is a must visit for its accessibility and proximity to this massive waterfall and has spectacular views of both falls.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Merced River, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
The Merced River in the central part of the U.S. state of California, is 145 miles (233 km) long. Tenaya, Yosemite, Bridalveil and Pigeon Creeks join the Merced River in Yosemite Valley.
Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Mist Trail, Happy Isles, Yosemite National Park, CA
The Mist Trail is one of the most popular short hikes in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. The steep hike follows the Merced River, starting at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley, past Vernal Fall and Emerald Pool, to Nevada Fall.

Pass By: Nevada Fall, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA
Nevada Fall is a 594-foot high waterfall on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park, California. It is located below the granite dome, Liberty Cap, at the west end of Little Yosemite Valley.

Stop At: Olmsted Point, Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Olmsted Point, located in Yosemite National Park, is a viewing area off of the Tioga Road which offers a view into Tenaya Canyon. This view looks southwest into the valley, giving, in particular, a view of the northern side of Half Dome and a view of Tenaya Lake to the east.
Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point Road, Yosemite National Park, CA
Sentinel Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, United States. It lies on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, 0.8 miles southwest of Glacier Point and 1.4 miles northeast of Profile Cliff. Sentinel Dome is known for a Jeffrey Pine that grew from its peak.

Pass By: Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park, CA
Tenaya Lake is an alpine lake in Yosemite National Park, located between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. The surface of Tenaya Lake has an elevation of 8,150 feet. The lake basin was formed by glacial action.

Pass By: Vernal Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park, CA
Vernal Fall is a 317-foot waterfall on the Merced River just downstream of Nevada Fall in Yosemite National Park, California. Like its upstream neighbor, Vernal Fall is clearly visible at a distance, from Glacier Point, as well as close up, along the Mist Trail.

Stop At: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA
Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in Yosemite National Park, dropping a total of 2,425 feet from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tunnel View, Wawona Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Tunnel View is a scenic viewpoint on State Route 41 in Yosemite National Park. Visitors have seen and documented the iconic and expansive views of Yosemite Valley from the overlook since its opening in 1933.
Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Yosemite National Park Big Oak Flat Entrance, 6107 Big Oak Flat Rd, Groveland, CA 95321, USA
The Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park is located on CA Highway 120 roughly 24 miles (39 km) east of Groveland, CA. CA Highway 120 is the most direct route into Yosemite National Park from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Northern California locations.

Pass By: Big Oak Flat Road, Groveland, CA
Traveling the historic Big Oak Flat Road from the western entrance of Yosemite National Park across to the Tioga Pass entrance on the east, provides drivers easy access to the stunning beauty of Yosemite’s high country landscapes.

Pass By: Sierra Nevada, CA
The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin.

Pass By: San Francisco Bay Bridge, Highway 80 West, San Francisco, CA 94105
The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, known locally as the Bay Bridge, is a complex of bridges spanning San Francisco Bay in California. As part of Interstate 80 and the direct road between San Francisco and Oakland, it carries about 260,000 vehicles a day on its two decks.

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.